Duggars consider adopting baby No. 20

They already have a very full house, but Michelle and Jim-Bob Duggar insist they would still love to add another child to their busy brood. In a new interview with PEOPLE the TLC stars say they are considering adopting their 20th child.

“We are open to the idea of adoption. We are praying about it, and we will see what God has in store. Love for children has been placed on our hearts,” says Michelle, 45, adding, “We are open to whatever is in store. It doesn’t really matter whether I would have another child or we would adopt, but we want to approach it with an open heart.”

Having suffered a miscarriage during her last pregnancy in 2011, Michelle admits that they are struggling to determine whether adoption is truly the right path for them, explaining, “We have to know for sure that is what God wants for us to do. When he gives us a child [through pregnancy], there is no doubt in our minds that is what He wants, but when it comes to adoption, we would have to know for sure that was His will.”

As for the couple’s 19 other children, they are apparently eager to welcome a new family member – if not more!

“The kids are definitely pushing towards wanting us to open our home up to another child or more,” says Michelle. “They see how much we have been blessed with and how little so many children have and they want to share. We tell our children that would have to be something that is God’s will for our family, and we will see if it is. Our children love children, and we all do.”

The Duggars’ big and ever-growing family has caused some controversy in the past, with some pointing to concerns about overpopulation and sustainability. If they were to adopt their next child, would that quiet some of the criticism?

What do you think of Michelle and Jim-Bob possibly adopting a 20th child?

Here’s a look at some other big – though none quite so big as the Duggars! – famous families…

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I can’t help but feel after 19 children, they ought to give a chance to other families and concentration on the children they have. Perhaps have their brood volunteer, join the big brothers, big sisters program. Imagine 19+ people giving back! That would be a nice solution for this family.

Anon

With how long it takes for a first-timer to adopt an infant, along with the trafficking of stolen foreign babies to meet the demand for infants, I agree that they should give the chance to other families who do not have the blessing of children. It is a misconception that there are piles of unwanted infants waiting to be adopted. Many couples who wish to adopt an infant will never be able to.

However, there are many older children right here in America in need of good homes, and a high demand for foster homes. I hope that the Duggars consider utilizing their loving kindness and parenting skills to make a difference in the lives of America’s many homeless adolescents!

AS

They should foster children. Donate money to organizations that help ease the costs of adoption costs for infertile families. Ways to really make a difference.

Oh, good. Another child for the Fab4 to look after (Jana, Jill, Jessa & Jinger). Meanwhile, Michelle & JimBob will stroll along, hand in hand, as they always do, while their daughters do all the work.

Emily

Honestly I think Michelle Duggar is the kind of woman that always wants to take care of a little baby. It can’t be that way forever. She has plenty of opportunities to put her nurturing instincts to good use.

Kelly

Disgusting.

Tyz

@K, I couldn’t agree more. I needed you around for the previous Duggar articles where people thought I was crazy for suggesting the older girls were little more than indentured servants. They all say something along the lines of “children should be given chores and responsibilities” or “I had to baby-sit my younger siblings.” As if baby-sitting once a week or being in charge of cleaning your room and taking out the trash is the same thing as having your entire childhood given over to childcare and chores while mom is busy being or getting pregnant.

@Emily, you are so right. My mother was the same way. She loved babies and pumped out one after another, but raising children to adulthood was where she lost interest. My older sisters had to bear the brunt of that as well. It’s really sad.

I guess I should be glad at least they’re not adding another person to the world population should they choose to adopt. And I suppose being raised in a home of 20+ people is better than being raised in an orphanage. Faint praise.

Karen

When this show first aired I thought, How nice. A large and loving family. However, as time went on, I realized the game at play. Michelle Duggar uses her older daughters to help with laundry, cooking, home-schooling, changing diapers. All she does is manage everyone. She is the employer and they employees, except since they are not paid-they are her slaves/servants. What kind of life will they look back on once they become conscious? They cannot fully enjoy their lives with an overload of responsibilities day in and day out. It is not fair to them. Jim Bob has nothing to say about it because she rules the roost. Between the last child being a premie with all sorts of problems followed by the miscarriage-at age 46, God is trying to tell her to call it a day. She speaks of listening to him for guidance. Well, there you have it. No more clarity than that.

Bella

All of these nasty comments make me sick.

sara

AMen Bella! Fueled by ignorance…really there are not 167 MILLION orphans in the world…really, everyone is just making that up ???? Have you been there? Have you seen? They are their whether you want to see it or not. And I dont even have cable but from the shows I’ve seen those kids have LOTS of fun! Oh no they actually have responsibilities as children! Someone call the police! MORE children need to know this whole wide universe doesnt revolves around them!!! They have Wonderful relationships with their parents-if they didnt you would SEE it, they’re in front of the tv for crying out loud they cant act that out for as much as they are on tv, the older kids maaaaaaaaaybe but the little kids and that many, no theres no way they can “pretend to love them” as much as they show. Unless your signing up to adopt these poor precious children who are wasting away in institutions all over the world without parents…you have NO room to criticize!!!

Mary

I think it’s nice that they are considering adoption. I wish more families had adoption on their radar. There are SO MANY children out there who would love to have a loving home like they could offer. I agree that they can’t keep adding new children forever, but opening their arms to a child in need is nothing to make fun of.

Kira

I think people that criticize are jealous about thier ability to care for so many children. They are bringing their children up to be successful responsible adults. Many parents can’t manage bringing up one to two children let alone 19. Children should be raised with responsibility. My older daughter should learn to care for her younger sister and both are learning at an early age to do chores. A mother’s job is not to be a servant to their children but to raise them to be responsible adults. People are always impressed by my children’s willingness and ability to help around the house at 2 and 5 years old. Caring for family members is not abuse and their children may very well love the idea of more siblings. They are able to care for their family.

Cindy

I think it would be a really good thing for them to adopt a child. There are so many children out there who will never feel love in their lives that this family offers. They are sweet loving people that any child would be lucky to call their ‘family’.

Martha

Maybe they are considering adopting a special needs child or an older child. Children who are unfortunately considered unwanted by many adoptive parents. They are capable of caring for more children. Their children are happy and loved. Or at least that is what those children are portraying when I’ve seen anything about them. I see a lot of good in this family so I would be on board with them adopting, not that it’s my business really.

hugs4Jack

This couple reminds me of the people who only want puppies, and once the puppes start to get older they loose interest in them and turn their attention into getting another puppy.

Kingsmom

I’ll get flamed for this but (I feel) this is an addiction. It’s like hoarding.

If they had 20 dogs, or cats or (insert animal), the authorities would be knocking on their door.

Sandra

I firmly believe every child is a blessing. All that said, I think (and always thought) they need to concentrate on loving the children they have. The baby stage doesnt last forever, and kids continue to have lots of needs growing up–it isnt the same thing to be taken care of by an older sister than an actual mother with time on her hands to do so. I think Michelle (sweet and loving as she is) needs to come to terms with that. But fostering children would probably be a nice idea, if they absolutely had to have more.

Sandra

Also, I wanted to comment that I did a very large share of the raising of my 8 years younger brother. I love him so much. It was not a “bad” experience for me. That said, it was at times a burden. It made me age very quickly. People often commented on how “mature” I was, but it was because I was changing diapers since age 8 and 9. There were rewards, GREAT rewards. The love we shared together. Teaching him to read. Ride a bike. But as I get older, its not what I want for my children (and I LOVE children). I want them to be able to be a bit more child-like than I was able to be. I dont think it was great that my little brother often called me “mom” because he was very confused about who was his mother. Only until very recently, did he even accept her authority over mine. I do not consider it a trauma–I loved children and him enough to benefit–but it was a hardship probably too large for me as a young child to bear. My older sister never wants to have any children (I want to have at least 3 or 4!) and I think a large part of the reason why is because she is bitter about how often she had to take care of us. I am not bitter, but not everyone is as maternal as I was from a young age. I consider mommy caring for the children to be the ideal.

In some families perhaps the older kids are taken advantage of when Mom has another baby. However watching this family interact and seeing how happy they all are I do not feel these older girls are being exploited. It is only in the privileged West that children are allowed to play though their childhood. Work never hurt anyone and it gives a sense of excitement when there is free time. I love the family and think they have a lot of love to give another child.

A.Roddy

Anna@ In the West children aren’t allowed to be children anymore. If some politicians had thier way, 6 yr olds would work in factories 12 hr a day like 100 years ago. The Duggars belong to the Quiverfull movement though they deny it. The QF group doesn’t do teenagers which forces kids into early adulthood. Forcing them into ealry adulthood doesn’t mean they will be selfless or helpful. Jim bob and Michelle had those kids and they should act like it. Children aren’t personal slaves. Yes, children should have a few chores, but they should play. They are still children.

julia

Predictions for the 4 oldest Duggar girls.
They will not be married. (they cannot be replaced as unpaid servants)
They will not be educated. (it will be considered unnecessary)
They will not receive any money from the TV show they appear on and will be destitute.
They can look forward to being moved along to their brothers families for more unpaid work in the future.
I can’t watch this show. It is one of the saddest things I have ever seen.
We have children and raise them to move on with their lives. If that means getting married and having lots of kids then ok. But these girls will never be able to have a life that is theirs. Without them who would take care of the little ones. Mom is obviously unable to manage.
Sad, sad, sad.

Kampuwai Samson

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James Forber

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